R&N 425 and CNJ 113 Double Header Steam - Minersville Santa Claus Train Rides 2014

On Saturday November 29, 2014, Reading and Northern ran their Santa Claus Train Rides featuring a Double Header of R&N 425 and CNJ 113 with no diesel assist on all three trips, which ran at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00. The crew put on a spectacular show for the onlookers along the 8-Mile stretch between Cressona, PA and Minersville, PA. The train boarded at Minersville and backed down to the yard in Cressona. This video features the Minersville departures and the northward run-by's with the steam engines leading, but please note that the 11 AM and 1 O'clock runs have been consolidated together for flow and entertainment. The 3 PM run stands alone since it was much later in the day and the lighting and temperature changed dramatically, offering a great show and the sun started to set and awesome plumes as the train departed Cressona. More information about the video and locations are listed below.


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For more information about Steam and Train Excursions on the Reading and Northern, visit:
http://www.lgsry.com/


For more information about CNJ 113 and it's history and restoration, visit:
http://www.rrproject113.org/


For more videos of R&N 425, see my Steam Trains playlist.


November 29, 2014: On a cold Saturday morning with snow still on the ground from Thanksgiving Eve, our camera finds itself once again in Anthracite Coal region, this time in Minersville, PA for the first time since CNJ 113's restoration (I had been out of the area in previous years). Although not on home rails, CNJ 113 is still right at home is this area, being one of the last operational Anthracite burning locomotives.

0:00 - Starting out in Minersville, we see 425 and CNJ 113 awaiting their duties, and finally departing.

1:55 - On the Northbound pull back to Minersville, the steam duo passes the Reading depot at Cressona.(11:00 run).

3:00 - With whistles foreshadowing their coming, 425 and 113 round the curve at Glenworth. (13:00 run).

4:10 - The stack talk sounds great as the Santa Train passes over Route 209, and rounds the bend just south of Marlin. (13:00 run).

5:35 - 425 and 113 have a long approach, running alongside of the Tredegar Plastic & Film factory before crossing Maple Avenue in Marlin. (11:00 run).

7:30 - Back in Minersville, the train departs south from the Reading Railroad Station in the background.

8:40 - While I excluded and didn't even take the time to film most of the reverse moves to Cressona, I managed this shot on the 3:00 PM run to showcase the context of the Reading Depot to the enormous Sapa Extrusions metal factory located in the background.

9:45 - Not long after, R&N 425 and CNJ 113 put on a spectacular show as they work hard northward past the depot in the low, setting sun with gorgeous plumes filling the cold, late fall afternoon sky.

11:40 - The sky grows cold and gray among some evergreens as the train runs perpendicular to the camera, passing an old house at the Indian Run Reservoir and West Schuylkill River Watershed complex.

12:30 - The train returns to Minersville for the last time in the day, and the video fades out to the train idling under the waning sky.

I hope you enjoyed this video—thanks for watching!

As always, a huge and special thank you to the Reading and Northern and Project 113 and their operating crews for putting on a memorable show!!!